About 16 states have a tax-free weekend toward the beginning of August, though some critics say these holidays are ineffective, merely shifting spending, not increasing it. Some states, such as North Carolina, have repealed the holiday.

Georgia moved the holiday earlier this year after parents complained about the 2013 exemption falling a week after school had started.

Nichole Lescoe, a mother of four, said she doesn’t wait for the holiday because most things get picked over by then.

“In this town, if you wait too long, you can’t find the things you need,” said Lescoe. “It’s worth it to pay the tax to get the supplies.”

Others agreed that tax or no tax, it was more important to get the supplies, with school uniforms being particularly difficult to obtain past a certain point.

Latrisha Dukes, a teacher, said she won’t be taking advantage due to the crowds.

“I don’t bother with it anymore,” said Dukes. “Maybe if it started on a Thursday like it used to, but Friday and Saturday is too crowded.”